Seamer Ivan Thomas is hoping 2013 will be his breakthorugh year and will secure a permanent place in the Kent side.

The 21 year old fast bowler broke into the Kent side last summer after impressing for the Second XI, earning a call up against Essex in the County Championship, whilst holding his own against the touring South Africans.

With Head Coach Jimmy Adams looking at rotating his bowlers a bit more this summer to avoid burnout, Thomas is hoping competition for places will result in him getting more games for Kent:

“Everyone wants to be pushing for the first team and there’s a lot of competition for spots again this year.”

“Any opportunity anyone gets this year, they’re going to grab with both hands. Everyone is working really hard and everyone is looking really good, so I think having competition for places has had a positive effect and I don’t think there’s anyone thinking they are guaranteed a place in the side.”

“Having everyone back and available like Ashley Shaw and Adam Ball has made the competition harder, but a lot more enjoyable.”

With the likes of Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies as role models at Kent, Thomas believes he is learning lots in such a short space of time:

“I have roomed a lot with Charlie Shreck and learnt a lot from him. It’s been a good experience learning from the likes of him and Mark Davies and I’ve spent a lot of time with the two of them during games just asking them what their thoughts are.”

“I also make sure I watch them bowl a lot in the nets and pick up a few tips about what they do. Mark Davies has been making sure I think a lot more about what I am going to do and about my whole game.”

When asked what his objectives are for 2013, Thomas told KSN he just plans to keeping working hard for the Second XI and grab his chance when it comes along for the first team:

“I think there is no real change from last year and we’ve got our main attack, but there’s always going to be times when someone needs to fill in.”

“When that time comes, you’ve got to make sure your name is in the hat and make sure you’ve been playing well enough to earn your spot.”

Main picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com